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breenmachine's review against another edition
4.0
Anything about Edgar Cayce is good for the soul. I liked this book in particular because it is about reincarnation and how it fits into Christianity.
bhsmith's review against another edition
2.0
There is something exciting about starting a new book. And, if you know nothing about the book, there is an air of mystery attached, too. Which is probably why I never refuse to read a book that has been recommended to me by a friend. Something deep down inside says to me, "If this person you know liked it, you should totally give it a shot. You'll probably like it!" (I feel like my friends will now exploit knowing this about me and I'll be reading some ridiculous recommendations)
Many Mansions falls into this category... a book handed to me by a friend with the instructions, "Give it a shot... I'll be curious to hear what you think."
Let me be entirely forthcoming. I didn't finish the book. Something I rarely let happen.
Before I explain why I set down the book, let me explain the general premise. The author of this book has combed over countless records of Edgar Cayce's experiences in helping people understand their previous lives. Yep, reincarnation. Through case studies, each chapter expounds on how certain traits from previous lives will impact the life you're living.
Now, my reason for abandoning this book: It was simply asking too much of me. The book is built on a foundation of beliefs and assumptions that I simply do not (and probably can not) believe, and therefore as I read page after page I could assign very little validity to the arguments the author was making. A short list of offenses: reincarnation, the lost city of Atlantis, karma, mentalism. Would I like to believe in these things? Eh, maybe. Sometimes I feel like karma is playing out in the lives around me, but I do not feel like karma - or any of these beliefs - are as scientifically quantifiable as the author professes them to be. Does this make me closed minded and unwilling to open myself up to new beliefs? I hope not, but the argument could be made. I'm sure this opens me up to criticism of my own religion and beliefs... but that'll have to wait for another time.
The book still gets a couple of stars from me in the rating. Primarily because it is a well-written book. The author is no dummy... there are a tremendous number of case studies here, and cataloging them to find patterns and conclusions is a daunting task. So, she gets credit for the work put forth to reach her conclusions.
Many Mansions falls into this category... a book handed to me by a friend with the instructions, "Give it a shot... I'll be curious to hear what you think."
Let me be entirely forthcoming. I didn't finish the book. Something I rarely let happen.
Before I explain why I set down the book, let me explain the general premise. The author of this book has combed over countless records of Edgar Cayce's experiences in helping people understand their previous lives. Yep, reincarnation. Through case studies, each chapter expounds on how certain traits from previous lives will impact the life you're living.
Now, my reason for abandoning this book: It was simply asking too much of me. The book is built on a foundation of beliefs and assumptions that I simply do not (and probably can not) believe, and therefore as I read page after page I could assign very little validity to the arguments the author was making. A short list of offenses: reincarnation, the lost city of Atlantis, karma, mentalism. Would I like to believe in these things? Eh, maybe. Sometimes I feel like karma is playing out in the lives around me, but I do not feel like karma - or any of these beliefs - are as scientifically quantifiable as the author professes them to be. Does this make me closed minded and unwilling to open myself up to new beliefs? I hope not, but the argument could be made. I'm sure this opens me up to criticism of my own religion and beliefs... but that'll have to wait for another time.
The book still gets a couple of stars from me in the rating. Primarily because it is a well-written book. The author is no dummy... there are a tremendous number of case studies here, and cataloging them to find patterns and conclusions is a daunting task. So, she gets credit for the work put forth to reach her conclusions.
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